Occurrence: Intertidal areas and adjacent non-tidal wetlands. NM and SM Widespread and generally thinly scattered along coasts, with concentrations in Yancheng NNR and on central w. coast of South Korea. Numbers are probably underestimated due to the dispersed distribution of the species, especially in mariculture ponds.

Movements: Migration is on a broad front, probably using both coastal and inland wetlands, with good numbers being seen in Japan (6 460 max. on NM and 2 202 max. on SM).

Significance of Yellow Sea: The Yellow Sea supports about 15% of the estimated flyway population during NM.

Key sites: 3 sites of international importance have been identified, 2 in South Korea and 1 in China; all 3 sites are important during NM (see site location maps below) and Yancheng NNR is important during both NM and SM.

Status of key sites: The Chinese site and a small part of 1 South Korean site (Dongjin Gang Hagu) are in Protected Areas. The Dongjin and Mangyeung estuaries are currently being reclaimed as part of the Saemangeum Reclamation Project.

Major gaps in knowledge: Incomplete geographical and temporal coverage in China, especially of coastal non-tidal wetlands. No information from North Korea.